<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Congo<nl>Geography</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Location:</hi> Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Gabon and Zaire
<item><hi format=bold>Area:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>total area:</hi> 342,000 sq km
<item>• <hi format=ital>land area:</hi> 341,500 sq km
<item>• <hi format=ital>comparative area:</hi> slightly smaller than Montana
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<item><hi format=bold>Land boundaries:</hi> total 5,504 km, Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km
<item><hi format=bold>International disputes:</hi> long segment of boundary with Zaire along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made)
<item><hi format=bold>Climate:</hi> tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
<item><hi format=bold>Terrain:</hi> coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
<item>• <hi format=ital>meadows and pastures:</hi> 29%
<item>• <hi format=ital>forest and woodland:</hi> 62%
<item>• <hi format=ital>other:</hi> 7%
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<item><hi format=bold>Irrigated land:</hi> 40 sq km (1989)
<item><hi format=bold>Environment:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>current issues:</hi> air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; deforestation
<item>• <hi format=ital>natural hazards:</hi> NA
<item>• <hi format=ital>international agreements:</hi> party to—Endangered Species, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified—Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
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<item><hi format=bold>Note:</hi> about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them